Xylem Launches New Eco-lift Retrievable Aeration Grid

Xylem is a global company specializing in water and wastewater product solutions. The company recently debuted its new retrievable aeration grid system, the Sanitaire Eco-lift, for municipal and industrial wastewater applications. This innovative system is designed to deliver superior aeration efficiency in wastewater treatment plants and utilizes Sanitaire Gold and Silver Series diffusers to reduce the capital and life cycle costs associated with aeration systems.

The aeration grid was on display in the Xylem booth during the IFAT tradeshow in Germany from May 5-9.

The Sanitaire Eco-lift is designed with the diffusers mounted on structural frames that can be lifted out of the basin, allowing for easy inspection and maintenance. The grid’s patent-pending ‘tube-in-tube’ design requires significantly less steel as ballast than other products to keep it underwater. These design features lower the cost of the product by 50%, making it a cost-efficient alternative to constructing a parallel treatment train and delivering faster ROI.

In addition, Sanitaire Gold and Silver diffusers offer the highest Oxygen Transfer Efficiency (OTE) and mechanical reliability when compared to tubular diffusers, mechanical aerators or other types of aeration systems, saving wastewater treatment plants millions of dollars over their life span.

Xylem’s Eco-lift retrievable aeration grid frames are constructed of carbon steel I-beams or stainless steel square tubes, resulting in a more flexible and durable structure than those made of concrete.

“The Eco-lift retrievable grid allows operators to maintain grids with basins in service,” explains Serdar Umur, global aeration product manager for Xylem, “Individual aeration grids are lifted out, serviced, and repaired while the remaining grids continue treatment. The down time of each grid is also reduced. Diffuser membranes in a disc type aeration system can be changed out in three to five minutes compared to 15 to 30 minutes for each tubular membrane.

Xylem offers two types of lifting mechanisms: a lifting cable arrangement with a central mast to keep the cables taut above the water line, or four tubular lifting arms connected to each other at a central location above water level with a ring attached on top to easily lift the grids.